Ferrari 296 GTB: The Plug?In Supercar Changing What Fast Feels Like

Ferrari’s V6 hybrid 296 GTB is being called the best-driving modern Ferrari—and also its most controversial. Here’s what US drivers need to know before this plug?in rocket reshapes the $400K supercar segment.

If you think “plug?in hybrid” means tame or compromised, the Ferrari 296 GTB will happily rearrange your expectations—and your neck muscles. This is Ferrari’s first rear?drive V6 plug?in supercar, and reviewers across the US are calling it one of the most thrilling Ferraris in years.

Bottom line up front: the 296 GTB blends a screaming twin?turbo V6 with instant?hit electric torque to deliver hypercar?level pace, daily?drive usability, and a smaller footprint that actually works on US roads. If you’ve been eyeing a McLaren Artura or Lamborghini Revuelto, this is the Ferrari you need to understand.

What users need to know now: the 296 GTB isn’t just another mid?engine Ferrari—it’s the template for how Maranello plans to keep emotion alive in an electrified era.

Analysis: What's behind the hype

The 296 GTB is Ferrari’s answer to a brutal question: can you chase emissions regulations, add batteries, and still build something that feels pure, sharp, and special? Early verdict from US road tests by outlets like Car and Driver, Road & Track, and YouTube reviewers such as Doug DeMuro and Top Gear US: yes—almost shockingly so.

Instead of the traditional V8, you get a compact 3.0?liter twin?turbo V6 paired with a single electric motor and a small battery pack. The electric side adds low?rpm shove and a short EV?only mode; the engine supplies the drama. Together, they create a car that feels like a shrieking track monster when you want it, and a surprisingly civilized GT when you don’t.

Key specs at a glance

Spec	Ferrari 296 GTB (US?spec, approx.)
Powertrain	3.0L twin?turbo V6 + single electric motor (plug?in hybrid)
System output	~819 hp (610 kW) combined
Transmission	8?speed dual?clutch automatic, rear?wheel drive
0–60 mph (manufacturer & instrumented tests)	? 2.9 seconds (or better with launch)
Top speed	Over 205 mph
Battery & EV range	Plug?in hybrid; modest electric?only range intended mainly for city use (varies by driving conditions)
Drive modes	eDrive (EV), Hybrid, Performance, Qualify (max performance)
US base price (before options/destination)	In the mid?$300,000s range; real?world builds often approach or exceed ~$400,000 depending on options
Body style	Two?seat mid?engine berlinetta (fixed roof coupe)

Note: Pricing and performance figures vary slightly by source and configuration; always confirm current US MSRP and specs with an authorized Ferrari dealer.

Why US buyers care right now

For US customers, the 296 GTB lands in a brutally competitive space: it’s cross?shopped against the McLaren Artura, Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato/Tecnica, and upper?tier Porsche 911 models. But what reviewers keep circling back to is how complete the 296 feels.

• Size that works for American streets: It’s smaller than the old F8 Tributo, which means tighter, more playful handling, without feeling fragile on rougher US pavement.
• Hybrid with zero guilt: You can creep through neighborhoods or garages in near?silence on electric power, a real social advantage in US cities and suburbs where cold?start V12 drama isn’t always welcome.
• Track?ready electronics: Ferrari’s latest Side Slip Control and brake?by?wire systems have been praised for making 800+ hp usable even on bumpy, imperfect US backroads.

On?road character: what reviewers are actually feeling

In recent US tests, journalists describe the 296 GTB as a car that feels almost telepathic. Steering is quick but not nervous, and the car rotates eagerly without the twitchy edge some mid?engine exotics suffer from.

The electric motor fills in any lag, so the V6 can run hard and high without ever feeling flat. Several reviewers compare full?throttle acceleration to “pressing fast?forward” on the scenery; it’s past legal speeds almost instantly. Yet in Hybrid or eDrive, it calms down to something you could take to dinner without drama.

Sound was a major concern when Ferrari moved away from the classic V8. The consensus is that while the V6 doesn’t quite match the old naturally aspirated legends, it has a distinct high?pitch shriek and aggressive growl that feels genuinely special, especially at the top of the rev range.

Cabin, tech, and usability for US drivers

Inside, the 296 GTB’s cabin follows Ferrari’s new “all?digital, almost no physical buttons” philosophy. That’s polarizing—but powerful once you learn it.

• Driver?centric cockpit: Most key functions live on the steering wheel or in the curved digital cluster, reducing eye?movement at speed. US reviewers note a short learning curve but praise it once familiar.
• Passenger display: A separate screen lets your co?driver track speed, gear, and navigation, adding to the “shared experience” on US road trips.
• Practicality (for a Ferrari): Front trunk space and cabin storage are still limited, but better than some older models—enough for a long weekend if you pack smart.

Comfort-wise, optional multimatic?style active dampers and adjustable drive modes help the 296 GTB cope with broken asphalt and freeway expansion joints common in US cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. You won’t confuse it with a luxury sedan, but it’s realistic for frequent use rather than just occasional track days.

Hybrid system: gimmick or game?changer?

The plug?in system is not about Prius?style efficiency. It’s there for performance and a bit of flexibility.

• Short EV range: Enough for driveway maneuvers, early?morning departures, or creeping through city centers without attracting unwanted attention.
• Instant torque: The electric motor erases lag from the V6, giving the 296 GTB a seamless, linear surge that fans say feels closer to a naturally aspirated engine, just with way more shove.
• Mode flexibility: US owners in emissions?sensitive cities can choose quieter, lower?profile operation when they need it, then switch to full attack mode on open roads or at the track.

For US enthusiasts worried about future regulations, the 296 GTB is also a hint of where Ferrari’s mainstream lineup is headed: more electrified, but not less emotional.

US availability and pricing

The Ferrari 296 GTB is available through Ferrari’s authorized US dealer network as a regular production model, not a hyper?limited special. That said, demand and allocation mean you’re not walking onto a lot and driving one home same?day.

• Pricing: US base pricing sits in the mid?$300,000s before destination, taxes, and options. Most real?world US builds—especially with popular options like the Assetto Fiorano track package, carbon fiber trim, and custom paints—tend to climb toward or beyond the ~$400,000 mark.
• Allocation: Many US dealers prioritize existing Ferrari clients, particularly those with prior V8 and V12 purchases. New buyers may face waitlists, especially for high?demand specs.
• Customization: US clients can spec everything from brake caliper colors to interior stitch patterns through Ferrari’s personalization program, which can add significantly to price but also to resale appeal.

For American shoppers comparing it to a McLaren Artura or a highly optioned 911 Turbo S, the 296 GTB sits clearly above on price—but also, according to many reviewers, on engagement and long?term desirability.

Assetto Fiorano: the track?leaning choice

Many of the most enthusiastic reviews center on the 296 GTB with the optional Assetto Fiorano package. For US buyers who see track days at places like Laguna Seca, COTA, or Road Atlanta in their future, this is the spec to look at.

• Lighter components: Extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon fiber and optional Lexan elements, trims mass.
• Track?focused suspension: Re?tuned dampers and aero help stability at high speed and under heavy braking.
• More presence: Distinctive livery options nod to Ferrari’s racing history, which many US owners appreciate for garage?art value alone.

US road tests note that even the Assetto Fiorano variant remains surprisingly usable on the street, but if your 296 GTB will live mostly on freeways and city commutes, the standard setup is already extremely capable.

What the experts say (Verdict)

So where does the Ferrari 296 GTB land in the eyes of US experts and owners? Across recent reviews and social chatter, a few clear themes emerge.

What reviewers love

• Driving experience is next?level: Many US testers say this is the most exciting modern mid?engine Ferrari to drive, period—more playful and talkative than the F8 Tributo, and less intimidating than the SF90 Stradale.
• Hybrid system done right: Instead of dulling the car, the electric motor sharpens response and makes the powertrain feel more natural, not less. You get efficiency benefits without sacrificing theater.
• Steering and chassis tuning: The front?end bite, steering feel, and body control are frequent high?points in reviews, especially on tight canyon roads and technical US circuits.
• Design that feels modern Ferrari: The 296 GTB blends classic curves with sharp aero details. Many US owners and commentators on Instagram and Reddit single out its proportions as some of the best in the current Ferrari lineup.
• Useable performance: Electronics, brakes, and chassis systems make the 296 GTB accessible even to drivers who aren’t professional racers, which is important when you’re unleashing this much power on public roads.

Where it gets criticism

• Price and options creep: As with any modern Ferrari, the base price is only the start. US buyers report that desirable options pile up quickly, making it easy to overshoot budget.
• Digital cockpit learning curve: Some reviewers and early adopters prefer the old mix of analog and digital; the 296 GTB’s all?screen approach can feel overwhelming until you adapt.
• V6 vs. emotional nostalgia: A subset of purists on enthusiast forums still struggle with the idea of a hybrid V6 Ferrari, even if they admit the performance is undeniable.
• Limited EV range: If you’re thinking of the 296 GTB as a green solution, you’ll be disappointed. This is a performance hybrid first, efficiency tool second.

Owner and enthusiast sentiment in the US

On Reddit threads, YouTube comments, and enthusiast Discord servers, early US owners and those who have driven dealer demos echo the professional take: the 296 GTB feels like the sweet spot between old?school Ferrari engagement and future?proof hybrid tech.

Many say it’s the first electrified Ferrari that doesn’t feel like a complicated science project. It just feels fast, alive, and natural—with the bonus that you can slip silently out of your neighborhood at 6 a.m. without getting banned from the HOA.

Should you care if you’re shopping in this segment?

If you’re cross?shopping a Huracán, Artura, or top?tier 911 in the US, you owe yourself a serious look at the 296 GTB. It’s not the cheapest option, and it’s not the loudest on paper, but it may be the most complete modern supercar experience you can buy right now.

For drivers who want a car that can do back?road mornings, occasional track days, and still feel usable for city dinners, the consensus is clear: the Ferrari 296 GTB sets a new benchmark for the hybrid supercar era—and shows that “plug?in” and “passion” don’t have to be opposites.

@ ad-hoc-news.de